Chapter 494

Chapter 494: The Shattered Balance

Two weeks after entering the Crystal Dragon Fortress—and one week after stepping into the Black Crystal Forest—a three-way balance had formed around the Dragon God Temple.

Midi’s faction, as the frontrunner, controlled the northern territory near the temple. With a Dark Lighthouse enabling mid-tier exchanges, his Black Flame Coins remained steady at 300,000.

Thor’s group, boasting the strongest combat strength, dominated the eastern region. Though they also held a Dark Lighthouse and mid-tier exchanges, their Black Flame Coins hovered around 100,000, struggling to match their consumption rate.

Meanwhile, the alliance of Death Scorpion and Two-Headed Warwolf clung to the western edge, frantically gathering basic resources to stabilize their foothold.

But Simon’s team soon realized a harsh truth: even at peak efficiency, they couldn’t close the gap with Midi or Thor. Being latecomers doomed them from the start—they’d already lost the race before it began.

As despair spread through the alliance, a calm voice cut through the tension.

“There’s still a path to victory,” declared Alexis, stepping forward.

Both leaders, Simon and Cort, turned to him.

“Our bases can’t compete in growth or resource speed,” Alexis continued, “but stealing an enemy base changes everything.”

Seizing a base? Simon’s hope flickered, then died.

The level 67 “Warrior” Thor dominated these woods. Even their combined forces stood no chance against him. Surviving Thor’s indifference was blessing enough—attacking Death Scorpion’s base would be suicide.

Alexis smiled faintly. “If Thor worries you, we ignore him. Target Midi instead.”

“But aren’t Midi and Thor both Death Scorpion?” Cort frowned.

Though Midi and Thor maintained a fragile stalemate, outsiders saw only Death Scorpion’s dominance—two bases, with Midi presumably managing a secondary outpost under Thor’s orders.

Yet Alexis spotted cracks:

First, Midi’s base dwarfed Thor’s in size and facilities. If Midi were truly subordinate, he’d occupy the smaller base—not claim the prime territory while Thor settled for less.

Second, no communication flowed between the two. Magical links were impossible here, yet they never met face-to-face.

Finally, Alexis’s mind-related abilities detected sharp vigilance radiating from both bases—a tension thick as gunpowder smoke.

Conclusion? Midi and Thor weren’t just rivals—they’d openly split. Attack Midi, and Thor wouldn’t lift a finger. He might even strike the fallen himself.

Of course, even Alexis wasn’t fully certain about the internal split within Death Scorpion. Both Midi and Thor gave off such strange auras that his Threads of the Mind couldn’t get close, much less sense their emotions.

Still, Alexis felt seventy percent confident conflict had erupted between them.

That probability proved enough for Simon’s determination to attack.

Continuing this stalemate without capturing the base meant certain defeat. An assault might reverse their fortunes.

If Thor didn’t interfere – or hesitated even slightly – Simon believed he could eliminate that Level 63 nobody quickly.

But he overlooked one detail – if Midi were truly insignificant, how could he oppose Thor?

The group marched swiftly to Midi’s base without further discussion.

They aimed to strike immediately – killing or driving off Midi’s team to claim the base.

Though seizing control of alchemical automatons would be difficult, stealing the black crystal-filled Honey Pots sufficed.

While merging crystals into Black Dragon Remnant Tokens was safest, handling 100,000 units became impractical.

Most crystals likely remained stored in Honey Pots anyway.

As for Soldier Bees, Rhinoceros Beetles, and Iron Ladybugs? These fighters saw them as no threat.

The automatons’ true strength lay in numbers and anti-beast capabilities, not individual power.

Their relationship resembled regular soldiers versus adventurers on Arad continent.

Against crimson tides of Crimson Beasts, automatons formed effective barriers.

But against elite fighters? Useless.

A Level 64+ team’s penetration power proved overwhelming.

Simon, Alexis, and Cort slipped past defenses using a stealth specialist’s area skill.

The forward base unfolded before them – towering walls, Dark Lighthouses, bustling Worker Bees, and a hangar guarded by automatons. An orderly military camp.

At its heart, Midi’s team relaxed around a bonfire.

"Your luck ends today," Simon growled, murderous grin twisting his face.

He remembered every humiliation – Midi defeating brother Sethe, the bonfire gathering embarrassment, Mososbury City’s Fighter Selection.

Now the round-eared human would pay.

"Kill!" Simon charged without hesitation, Death Scorpion and Two-Headed Warwolf fighters surging behind.

Their numbers dwarfed Midi’s four-member team, exceeding even Thor’s Death Scorpion squad.

Automatons crumbled before their assault, shredded by skills into metallic rain.

Within a minute, Simon stood before Midi.

"Midi Asreks. Long time." Simon smiled coldly, savoring the moment.

Why end this quickly? He’d play cat-and-mouse, offering false hope before crushing it.

Only after seeing despair in those eyes would he deliver the final blow.

Though unharmed, Midi’s team stood no chance against their numbers and levels.

Only Thor’s potential intervention required caution.

Yet Midi showed no panic. His calm indifference infuriated Simon.

Before threats could form, Midi spoke:

"Indeed, Simon. Do Death Scorpion members always invade others’ bases? Or is etiquette foreign to your family?"

Simon’s face darkened. Even victory couldn’t stomach such mockery.

Midi continued: "Since I disciplined Sethe, teaching you proper manners seems necessary too."